Nigeria Bears World’s Highest Burden of Childhood Sickle Cell Disease — Over 1.5 Million Affected, Lancet Study Reveals
Nigeria accounts for more than 1.5 million children living with sickle cell disease, the highest globally, according to a new study published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, underscoring an urgent public health crisis and the need for expanded early diagnosis and treatment interventions.
A major international study has identified Nigeria as the global epicentre of childhood sickle cell disease (SCD), with over 1.5 million children under the age of 15 currently living with the condition.
The research, which analysed data from 40 studies across 22 African countries, estimates that nearly nine million children in sub-Saharan Africa were living with SCD in 2023. This includes approximately 1.17 million infants and 2.75 million children under five—age groups particularly vulnerable to severe complications and early death without timely intervention.
Nigeria’s burden far exceeds that of other high-prevalence countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Ethiopia, highlighting both the scale of the challenge and the country’s critical role in driving solutions across the continent.
The study was led by Professor Davies Adeloye of Teesside University, who noted that Nigeria is now at the centre of the global sickle cell crisis. He emphasised that while the numbers are alarming, effective and affordable interventions already exist.
Sickle cell disease is a genetic blood disorder present from birth. Health experts stress that early diagnosis through newborn screening, combined with basic interventions such as penicillin prophylaxis, routine immunisation, malaria prevention, and the use of hydroxyurea, can significantly reduce complications and prevent early deaths.
However, access to these life-saving services remains limited in Nigeria. Many children are diagnosed only after severe complications arise, while others remain undiagnosed, contributing to high rates of preventable morbidity and mortality.
The study highlights the urgent need to strengthen Nigeria’s health system response by scaling up newborn screening programmes, improving access to essential medicines, and integrating sickle cell care into primary healthcare services.
Researchers also called for coordinated action involving government agencies, healthcare institutions, and development partners. Key recommendations include increased domestic funding, stronger international collaboration, and improved data systems to enhance disease surveillance and inform policy decisions.
The authors concluded that even modest improvements in early detection and treatment could significantly improve child survival rates and reduce avoidable deaths in high-burden countries like Nigeria.
The full study is published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health and is available at:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352464226000489
No comments